Washington - 2 January 2019
1. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:
"Well I wish Mitt could be more of a team player. You know I'm surprised he did it this quickly. I was expecting something but I was surprised he did it this quickly. And you know look, I endorsed him, he thanked me very profusely, it was very nice. But I am surprised because we've done a lot and he actually says it. I read his op ed. He said it, you know, he agrees and I don't think he would be able I don't think anybody would have been able to do the tax cuts like I did. We got the greatest tax cuts ever."
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2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:
"So with Mitt Romney I'd love him to be a team player. Possibly he won't be. I'm surprised he acted so quickly. I gave him an endorsement. I was happy that he won. In Utah. I have great popularity in Utah. I love the people of Utah. I did something for them that nobody else would have done. That has to do with their parks, as you know. It was a big day and big, a big thing. And do we did that for a very special person who is now going to be retiring after 42 years. You know I'm talking about our great friend, our great senator, who's really a spectacular man. And also for Mike Lee who was who really pressed it very hard. So Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee and the people of Utah really appreciate what I did for them. Hundreds and hundreds of miles of, of park that they'll be able to now use as opposed to not. And so I was surprised that Mitt Romney but I just hope he's going to be a team player and if he's a team player that'll be great. I will say this, if he fought really hard against President Obama like he does against me, he would have won the election. Does that make sense to you? If he fought the way he fights me, I'm telling you he would have won the election. But I think he's going to end up being a team player. I think he agrees with many of the things that we've done and many of the things that we have in mind. But we'll see what happens."
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3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:
"But General Mattis was so thrilled. But what's he done for me? How has he done in Afghanistan. Not too good. Not too good. I'm not happy with what he's done in Afghanistan. And I shouldn't be happy. But he was very happy, he was very thankful when I got him 700 billion dollars. And then the following year 716 billion dollars. So I mean I wish him well I hope he does well. But as you know President Obama fired him. And essentially so did I. I want results."
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4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:
"I think I would have been a good general. But who knows."
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5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:
"But we're getting out and we're getting out smart and we're winning, we're winning. OK. But just to answer your question, Over a period of time. I never said I'm getting out tomorrow I said I'm pulling our soldiers out and they will be pulled back in Syria, that we're getting out of Syria. Yeah absolutely. But we're getting out very powerfully."
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